IT MIGHT GET MESSY

In a world that is increasingly technology driven, with information just a click away, 21st century learners must be able to think critically and creatively. Making connections and synthesizing information will be key to academic and future success. Fostering creativity is no longer enrichment to learning – it is where critical connections, innovation, and meaningful inspiration are developed.

We know that children experience access to the creative-self in their early years more so than at any other time in their lives. Helping children to recognize and become acquainted with the many facets of creative expression can be an amazing experience for the early childhood educator as well.

ABOUT ME

Since 2001, I have been the owner of Barron Park Preschool in Palo Alto. I work both in and out of the classroom and have an in-depth understanding of the ways in which children perceive and interact with their world. I use my experiences and education to help Early Childhood Educators tap in to their creativity to bring forth inspired, meaningful, and emergent curriculum. I'm an advocate for keeping play in childhood.

RECENT PRESENTATIONS & WORKSHOPS

I lead workshops, staff development trainings, parent education event, and give presentation on creativity, emergent curriculum, and the importance of play. I present both locally and nationally, and am a certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator.

UPCOMING EVENTS

GUIDANCE & INSPIRATION

I specialize in communicating the value of creativity and play in peoples' lives – both for adults and children. Below are some current topics I am offering.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND WORKSHOPS FOR EDUCATORS

It Might Get Messy

Workshop participants will explore creative expression activities for young children as well as learning to adapt early childhood environments to support play-based emergent curriculum. Participants will gain new ideas and make connections for supporting creativity in their practice while learning how open-ended and engaging activities will foster creativity and creative thinking.

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Save the Gingerbread Man

In this workshop, participants will be exposed to Design Thinking and its use in ECE. I provide hands-on experience solving design challenges, engaging participants in brainstorming, ideation, prototyping, testing prototypes, and reviewing the learning outcomes. Participants will be given ideas to foster and spark their own creativity and inspiration.

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Making Learning Visible

It is widely accepted in the Early Childhood Education field that children learn best through play, yet many programs struggle with defending this practice. Understanding current research, having skills for communicating it’s importance, as well as the conviction to implement is key. This interactive workshop will help participants discover how to communicate the valuable outcomes that happen when children are allowed the freedom to direct their own learning through play. Participants will learn how to make documentation and displays that will make learning visible to children, parents, visitors and other educators.

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Play-Based Emergent Curriculum

Research supports that children learn best through self directed play. In this workshop participants will become reacquainted with the values of play, and play-based early childhood education. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the emergent curriculum approach by practicing observation and learning strategies for scaffolding or supporting children’s emerging interests in the classroom. Discover how emergent curriculum is meaningful and encouraging to the children and the adults in your school community.

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The Positive Approach

Many educators struggle to find effective tools to address difficult behaviors in the classroom. In this workshop, participants will be introduced to a positive approach that can change the way an adult thinks about a child’s challenging behaviors, while learning effective tools to use right away.

HELPING PARENTS EMBRACE LIFE'S CHALLENGES

Positive Discipline Parent Coaching

Positive Discipline can help parents get to the core of a child’s behavior and increase peace in the family environment. Participants will learn non-punitive methods that incorporate kindness and firmness into parenting while practicing tools that can change the way a parent thinks about a child’s challenging behaviors. Parenting workshop series are facilitated in a supportive, interactive group setting and can be done over the course of six weekly sessions or one day retreats.

The Value of Play in Your Child's Development

In a culture that is increasingly focused on academics in early learning. Parents and caregivers may not have a deep understanding of why and how play is important in their child’s development. In this talk, I provide real life examples of what play looks like, what children learn through play, and why play is the best way children learn. Play has value beyond early academic benefits. Play is fun. Play is life affirming. Play is a legitimate right of childhood and… play must be protected!

WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID

“We will be implementing design challenges into our activities. We are giving children more opportunities to explore and learn from mistakes.”

Carol, Site Supervisor

“The workshop changed my whole thought process on how to use my materials...great ideas! We are really focusing on more open-ended process based art.”

Margo, Director

“Using design thinking with kids encourages them to be more creative and solve problems as a group. Kim provided a frame work to better explain the learning process."